Welcome to the serious business of cinematic comedy. The course will explore iconic silent pioneers like Lloyd, Keaton and Chaplin, and the early sound era, encompassing the great Laurel and Hardy, the subversive Marx Brothers and the whip-smart screwball funnies of the 1930s. We will also look at British and European influences like Ealing and Jacques Tati, as well as addressing issues such as representation, race, satire, class and gender. Expect gems like Duck Soup, Modern Times, Some Like it Hot, Withnail and I, Life of Brian, Bringing up Baby and many, many more.